The city of Sacramento fire captain played a formidable game in the reality show\u2019s season 48<\/a>, and he is set to return to the program, which will kick off this week.<\/p>\n | MORE: \u2018I am a firefighter, now retired\u2019: Defining yourself post-retirement<\/a><\/p>\n To celebrate the long-running reality show\u2019s milestone season, \u201cSurvivor\u201d is running a special \u201cIn the Hands of the Fans\u201d season. Fans were able to vote on various aspects of the game. According to Entertainment Weekly, the contestants were not informed of the fan vote\u2019s results<\/a> until they were actively playing the game.<\/p>\n \u201cIt made for a pretty enjoyable ride,\u201d Hunter said.<\/p>\n Additionally, all 24 castaways this season are return players, having competed on one to five prior \u201cSurvivor\u201d seasons.<\/p>\n \u201cSurvivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans\u201d premieres on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. Pacific Time with a special three-hour episode. The series airs weekly on CBS, with episodes able to stream on Paramount+ the following day.<\/p>\n Hunter made a name for himself in the \u201cSurvivor\u201d universe<\/p>\n During his first season on \u201cSurvivor\u201d, Hunter finished in third place, reaching the final tribal council night after winning 11 of the season\u2019s 19 challenges and upholding his personal alliances.<\/p>\n Hunter formed a bond with fellow player Eva Erickson, who opened up to the firefighter about having autism. When a high-stakes challenge that left Erickson overwhelmed and in tears, Hunter set aside their opposing teams\u2019 rivalry to support his friend<\/a>.<\/p>\n In a deeply emotional moment on the show, Hunter memorialized his late sister, Joanna Lewis<\/a>, who died in Vacaville in 2011. Though the Solano County Sheriff\u2019s Office ruled Joanna Hunter\u2019s death a suicide, Hunter and his family said they believe she was killed by her husband.<\/a><\/p>\n Hunter said continuing to share his sister\u2019s voice and advocating for domestic violence justice was one of his top priorities on \u201cSurvivor 50.\u201d His advocacy was critical in getting California Senate Bill 989, known as Joanna\u2019s Law,<\/a> passed.<\/p>\n \u201c(The show is) just such a platform to be able to discuss things, opening up about my sister and domestic violence, and opening up about some of my vulnerabilities and being a captain here in the City of Sacramento,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Representing the California capital region on \u201cSurvivor\u201d<\/p>\n Hunter said he hopes he does his Sacramento community proud in his second season.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so honored to be a part of this community,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have me be able to return, and specifically on the flagship season for the entire entity of \u2018Survivor.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n The Sacramento firefighter is not the only capital region representative on \u201cSurvivor 50.\u201d One of the show\u2019s first-ever contestants in its inaugural season, Jenna Lewis-Dougherty<\/a>, was a college student in New Hampshire at the time of filming in 2000, but she now lives in Woodland.<\/p>\n The upcoming season will be Lewis-Dougherty\u2019s third time playing the game. In her first season, Lewis-Dougherty finished in eighth place, while she was second runner-up in season eight, \u201cSurvivor: All-Stars,\u201d in 2004.<\/p>\n Hunter encouraged Sacramento -area \u201cSurvivor\u201c fans to band together at area watch parties, which he said he would promote on his social media pages.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s just about community and getting all of us together and just trying to be a beacon of hope and peace and also support and love,\u201d Hunter said. \u201cWhat\u2019s going on in our world right now can be pretty negative. So hopefully this brings some family fun that everybody can watch as a family and really bring people together in a positive light.\u201d<\/p>\n One of the major aspects of this season fans were able to vote on was the finale\u2019s format. According to Hunter, rather than the season winner being announced during filming, the \u201cSurvivor 50\u201d winner will be revealed in a live event \u2014 and even the contestants are still in the dark.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone will find out who wins together as a community,\u201d Hunter said. \u201cThat\u2019s going to be something that\u2019s pretty epic for those that make it to the final.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \n Fire Chief Tim Sendelbach rejected allegations of insubordination, misinformation and creating division, arguing the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority board\u2019s claims lack evidence as it moves to terminate his contract\n <\/p>\n February 27, 2026 12:51 PM<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \n After Mid County Fire Protection District firefighters pulled out due to a roof collapse, relatives say they were told the home had been searched\n <\/p>\n February 27, 2026 12:59 PM<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00b7\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \n A key mutual aid agreement will end amid liability concerns after the chief and 16 volunteers resigned from Lewis County Fire District 18\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \n Lifetime funding secured for the WTC Health Program, but layoffs and a hiring freeze are delaying care\n <\/p>\n February 28, 2026 12:00 PM<\/p>\n \u00a92026 The Sacramento Bee.![\"Sendelbach40.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1772386450_189_.jpeg\")
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